CIHS PROGRAM SESSIONS: HAZMAT IN HARMONY

Explore our current program offerings below. Additional sessions and events will be added as they become available, so check back often to discover updates and new opportunities to learn, connect, and engage! 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

Breakfast with Exhibitors| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

OPENING SESSIONS | 9:30 AM - 11:45

Welcome
Shannon Miller (CHEMTREC®)
 
Safety and Antitrust Briefing
Chris Brown (CHEMTREC®)
 
Presentation of Colors
Color Guard
 
Steadfast in an Unreliable World 
Andrew H. LaVanway (CHEMTREC®)
 
Keynote
Keni Thomas
 

Networking Lunch with Keni Thomas and Exhibitors | 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Track 1 – UNDERSTANDING THE SCORE - MODERN HAZMAT RISK LANDSCAPE

Track 2 – TUNING THE INSTRUMENT - BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL READINESS

Get critical insights on the latest regulations, compliance hurdles, and emerging risks confronting hazmat logistics today. Learn proven strategies to protect your operations against evolving threats and build safer, more resilient response plans.
 

  • • Regulatory Updates and Implementation Progress in Key Asia-Pacific Countries and Regions​ | 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Lucy Wang (CIRS)
  • • The EU Forges Ahead: Key Chemical Regulatory Actions to Watch in 2026 and Strategies for Compliance | 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Claire Mathis (H2 Compliance)
  • • Risk, Reputation, Readiness: From Compliance to Corporate Responsibility | 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
  • Kelly Montes de Oca (Responsible Care), Quinlan Carroll (Responsible Care), Erica Fisher (TRANSCAER) + Chris Scott (CHEMTREC®)
  • Networking Break | 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
  • • U.S. Department of State’s Chemical Security Program (CSP) on security assistance programming to prevent weaponization of chemicals with partners worldwide | 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
  • Nathan Livesey (FBI) + U.S. Department of State 
  • • TSA Surface Operations: Protecting Critical Transportation Infrastructure | 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
  • TSA Surface Security Program
  • • Regulatory Harmony: Staying in Sync with the DOT | 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM - Shape the session and complete the survey! 
  • Bill Quade (PHMSA), Mark Mayday (FRA), Chris Garcia (FAA) + David Rios (FMCSA)
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Experts share what it takes to build and sustain organizational readiness through workforce skills development, emergency preparedness, response coordination, and cross‑organizational collaboration to ensure your organization is ready when incidents occur.

  • • From Risk Blindness to Readiness: Transforming Emergency Preparedness at Scale | 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Bob Bolen (Lyondell Basell)
  • • On-Site Lithium Battery Storage Standards: Navigating Risks and Prevention Strategies | 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Mike Pagel (Americase)
  • • Rail Risk & Readiness: Strengthening Hazmat Preparedness from Industry Strategy to Class I Response | 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
  • Andy Elkins (Association of American Railroads) +  Joe Taylor (CSX Transportation) 
  • Networking Break | 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
  • • Risk Management/Insurance Funding for Implementing Crisis Response  | 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
  • Beth Mineau (RCS Indemnity, Inc.)
  • • Recognition of Clandestine Labs | 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
  • Adam Weiss (Downrange Solutions)
  • • Bridging the Gap Between Emergency Response and Long‑Term Environmental Remediation | 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Michael Algots(GRAYMAR Environmental Services)

Commons Club Welcome Reception Sponsored by Ouray | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

Steps for Safety with Safety SAM | 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
Breakfast with Exhibitors | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 

OPENING SESSION | 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

Industry Keynote: Navigating an Evolving Risk Landscape: The Power of Workplace Culture 
Ed Sparks (WR Grace)

Track 3 – CONDUCTING THE ENSEMBLE - OPERATIONAL RESPONSE EXCELLENCE

Track 4 - HARMONIZING RESPONSE - CRITICAL ROLE OF QUALITY SAFETY DATA SHEETS IN EMERGENCIES

Learn how to strengthen your emergency response program, from the initial first call through ongoing responder support. Industry leaders will share real‑world strategies for navigating emergencies, supply chain impacts, and high‑hazard incidents so you can build a response program that performs when it matters most.

  • • Breaking Silos in Emergency Response: Building Cross-Functional Resilience Across Complex Operations  | 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Nate Schock (EMD Eletronics) + Ryan Goldsmith (Chemours)
  • Networking Break | 10:30 AM - 1c0:45 AM
  • • Are You Really Ready for the Call? | 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Pam Medina (Trical Solutions Inc.)
  • • Global Emergency Response for High-Hazard Operations | 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
  • Aaron Montgomery (Ouray)
  • Networking Lunch with Exhibitors | 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
  • • Don't Get Dizzy! Spin-offs, Mergers, and Transitions in Dangerous Goods and Emergency Response| 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Matt Houston (Solstice Advanced Materials)
  • • Static Grounding & Bonding - Your Best Risk Mitigation Tool for Controlling ESD | 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM 
  • Andreas Burkart (AEMC)
  • Networking Break | 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
  • • 20 Years of Lessons Learned in Hazmat Response | 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
  • Lee Nelson (SERTC)
  • • Emergency Response Desktop Exercise - A Carrier Perspective | 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Lloyd Moore (Kemira)
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Discover why accurate, accessible, and up‑to‑date Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are critical during incidents. Learn how incomplete or outdated SDS information can slow response, increase risk, and impact responder safety, and what organizations can do to improve SDS quality and accessibility.
  • • Streamlining SDS Updates and Improving Emergency Access​ | 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
  • DJ Martin (LISAM)
  • Networking Break | 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
  • • HazCom 2024 - What has Changed  | 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Maureen Ruskin (MKRuskin Consulting)
  • • SDS Under Pressure: When Responders Need Answers in Minutes | 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
  • Jon Starling (CHEMTREC®)
  • Networking Lunch with Exhibitors | 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
  • •When Worlds Collide: The Challenge of Bridging the Chasm of Regulatory Distinctions | 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Steve Laughlin (CURA)
  • • Consumer Compliance Beyond the Checkbox: The Role of SDS in Today's Consumer Market| 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
  • Chandra Gioiello (Industrial Health and Safety Consultants)
  • Networking Break | 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
  • • From Paper Compliance to Real-World Failure: HazMat Case Studies and Lessons Learned | 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
  • Wendy Buckley (STARS HazMat Consulting)
  • • SDS Round Table Discussion | 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Maureen Ruskin (MKRuskin Consulting), DJ Martin (LISAM), Chandra Gioiello (Industrial Health and Safety Consultants), Stacey Sara (CHEMTREC)
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The Pool Club Networking Reception | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM 

 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

Breakfast with Exhibitors | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 

OPENING SESSION | 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Drones in Emergency Response: Enhancing Speed, Safety, and Situational Awareness
James Edwards + Evan Rinke (BASF)
 

Track 5 – COMPOSING THE FUTURE - INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND RESILIENCE

Get an inside look at the technologies redefining how the industry detects risk, trains responders, and manages dangerous goods logistics. From AI‑enabled training platforms to autonomous shipping and advanced hazard detection, you’ll learn how new tools are strengthening resilience and what that means for the future of emergency response.
  • • EP&R Simulation Platform Built to Strengthen Incident Command System Performance Through Repeatable, Multi-user Incident Scenarios | 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Tim Chappell (Exxon) & Art Powers (Exxon)
  • • AI‑Enabled Training for Emergency Response Scenarios | 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
  • Ole Paulsen (Sklls) + Kevin Lavezzo (CHEMTREC®)
  • Networking Break | 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
  • •Faster, Safer, Defensible - Integrating Incident Management and Information Systems for Hazmat Responses | 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Tim Mahoney  & Dan Zent(Dynamis)
  • • Advanced Hazard Detection, Wearables, and Autonomous Tools Technology Showcase | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Matt Paynter  (Nutrien), Joe Taylor (CSX), + Amit Bhargava (EnviroApp)
  • • CHEMTREC International Hazmat Summit Closing Remarks | 12:30 PM
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  • Grab and go lunch | 12:30 PM
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